Bebek Bengil 3 to open in Wanchai, Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s famed Lockhart Road, Wanchai, will become the local home of one of Asia’s most exciting new restaurant concepts when Bebek Bengil 3 opens in The Broadway complex in December.

Bebek Bengil 3, imported direct from Ubud, the artistic centre of the Indonesian island of Bali, will take over the space previously occupied by Cucina, which closed on Saturday, September 28.

The new restaurant, with its Balinese-inspired ambience and unique cuisine, including the signature dish, Bali Crispy Duck, will be operated by Mr Paul Hsu’s Elite Concepts group, in partnership with the Balinese owners of Bebek Bengil.

In addition to Bebek Bengil 3, Elite Concepts will open the Klong Bar and Grill (KBG) on the ground floor of The Broadway in mid-October. 

Klong Bar and Grill’s inspiration comes from the allure and excitement of Bangkok’s night-life: good food, drink, music and dance. The ground floor Grill will specialise in Thai Style BBQ. Authentic ingredients will be used such as young coconuts, fresh limes, fruits and herbs. The Bar, with music and a dance floor, will be located on the first floor.

The original duckling in the Balinese group, Bebek Bengil 1 – now affectionately known as BB1 – opened in Ubud in 1990. It was joined later by its sister restaurant, BB2, also in Ubud and, now, BB3 in Hong Kong adds to the family.

Bebek Bengil, or Dirty Duck Diner, did not make its name from serving dirty ducks. Rather, they were its first clientele!

Back in 1990 when the then-unnamed BB1 was nearing the end of its construction phase, the near-complete restaurant was invaded one tropical monsoon morning by a flock of ducks from a nearby paddy field.

The quacking and squawking multitude ran across the newly laid floor and tables, leaving muddy, webbed, footprints wherever they went. Those dirty ducks were not only the restaurants first guests, they inspired the name.

Today BB1 and BB2 are famous not only among Balinese locals, but visitors as well, including politicians, diplomats, rock stars and actors and even those famous for just being famous.

Celebrities who have dined there include that perennial Rolling Stone, Mick Jagger, and even Hong Kong’s own “god of gamblers” and star of Hong Kong and Hollywood screen, Chow Yun Fat. 

“Like many Hong Kongers, I have frequently taken a break in Bali,” Mr Hsu said today. “I was introduced to the Bebek Bengil concept when it first opened back in 1990 and loved it.

“I have been wanting to bring it to Hong Kong for some time and we now have the perfect opportunity with The Broadway property. The planned opening of BB3 further illustrates Elite Concepts’ commitment to the revitalisation of Wanchai with unique dining concepts, especially in Star Street and now The Broadway,” he said.

“The new concept will also further enhance the value of The Broadway, a vertically integrated commercial building located in Lockhart Road, BB3 will have terracotta flooring with traditional Balinese style décor including a thatched bamboo ceiling with lesehan seating (raised floor seating so that diners sit on the floor and put their legs under the dining table). Seating is for 100 diners.

The overall design will be highlighted with plenty of hand carved wood, colorful scatter cushions, water features and bamboo.

BB3’s menu will feature traditional Indonesian dishes, as well as a selection of dips and spices, and Bebek Bengil Crispy Duck. Paddy field ducks will be flown in from Bali (the duck being special because it is rice-fed and has no fat.) 

The duck is marinated for 36 hours in a secret age-old recipe of Indonesian spices. It is then steamed and deep-fried for a crispy finish. No silverware required, just fingers! It is served with sautéed potatoes, steamed rice and a side salad.

Elite Concepts’ other big opening soon is Yè Shanghai, Kowloon (YSK), which is located on the 6/F, Marco Polo Hongkong, scheduled for late October. It will bring to three the number of Yè Shanghai locations – the others being in Pacific Place Hong Kong and Shanghai’s Xintiandi district - with expansion planned to the lifestyle capitals of Europe and North America over the next few years.

Elite Concepts is one of Asia’s leading restaurant groups. Founded in Hong Kong in 1991 by Paul Hsu, Elite Concepts manages a diverse portfolio of restaurants, bars, entertainment complexes and health clubs in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Shanghai. Outlets in Hong Kong include Yè Shanghai and La Cité in Pacific Place and Cinecittà, Kokage and One-Fifth in Star Street.